Temp dips below normal, breaks harsh heat streak in city

Indore: A noticeable change in weather conditions brought relief from the intense summer heat in Indore as both day and night temperature dropped sharply amid cloudy skies, gusty winds and late-night thunderstorms.The city witnessed partially cloudy conditions through the morning and afternoon hours on Tuesday, keeping temperature lower than usual for early May. The maximum temperature settled at 37.6 degrees Celsius, nearly three degrees below normal.The night temperature recorded an even steeper fall, dropping to 21 degrees Celsius, which was around three degrees below normal and almost five degrees lower than the previous night’s 25.5 degrees Celsius.Met officials said the fall in temperature began on Monday as cloud movement and strong winds reduced the intensity of heat. The maximum temperature on Monday was recorded at 38.2 degrees Celsius, down from 39.7 degrees Celsius recorded on Sunday. Despite humidity during the day, weather conditions remained comparatively pleasant because of continuous winds.Residents across the city witnessed a more comfortable morning and evening after several days of harsh heat. Thunderstorm activity late on Monday night further cooled the atmosphere, leading to a sharp drop in minimum temperature.Met officials attributed the changing weather to multiple active systems influencing central India, including western disturbances, cyclonic circulations over Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, along with trough systems extending across several states.Officials said no major change in temperature was expected over the next two days, though temperature may rise gradually by two to four degrees later this week.Even as weather conditions turned milder, the health department has remained on alert over the possibility of heat-related illnesses. For the first time, heat stroke clinics have been started across district hospitals, civil hospitals and community health centres in all districts of Indore division. Special beds, ORS corners, coolers, fans and essential medicines have been arranged to provide immediate treatment to patients affected by extreme heat.Authorities have also appealed to residents to stay hydrated, consume ORS and lemon water, wear light cotton clothes and avoid direct exposure to sunlight during peak afternoon hours.